A-B-C, should be easy as 1-2-3, right? Wrong. In fact, U.S. reading and math scores dropped to their lowest levels in decades last year. That’s where Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett (she/her) and Monica Young (she/her), co-founders of SHORT, come in. After 30 years apart, the former sorority sisters saw each other at an alumni event where their catching up convo quickly turned into a brainstorming sesh about how to fill the literacy gap in Alabama. “That initial idea morphed into SHORT the Squirrel, a reading superhero who helps children connect with the environment around them through topical literacy booklets,” says Monica.

Keep reading to learn more about, well, reading, the legend that is SHORT the Squirrel 🐿️, and how you can help out literacy rates in your own state.

Tell us more about SHORT. How did that idea transform to what it is today?
DEE: The idea hatched when Monica’s daughter, who was a new Assistant District Attorney, noticed how children coming to court lacked materials to occupy themselves as electronic devices are not permitted in Alabama courtrooms. I have a background in education, so when Moncia began developing an idea for an activity booklet, she recruited me to help! Since then, we’ve developed 14 “SHORT” titles, focusing on different topics from mental health, sustainability, money, and made countless appearances at schools across the state to encourage a love for reading by making it fun, entertaining, and educational.

MONICA: Through these entertaining “SHORT stories,” interactive experiences, and community partnerships, we hope to contribute to the development of young minds, nurturing a lifelong passion for knowledge and a deep connection to the world around them.

Why is literacy education/support still needed across the country?
DEE: According to the National Literacy Association, approximately 40% of students across the nation cannot read at a basic level, and 130M adults in our country are unable to read a simple story to their children. Now more than ever, literacy support is imperative. What was once a socioeconomic issue has crossed over to all levels of household incomes as electronic devices have substituted for books and active play, where pretending and acting out stories is important for connections and critical thinking development. Reading is essential for a successful future in any career and life path.

For a fun Q: What are your fave books at the moment?
MONICA: My favorite book is always whatever I am reading. However, currently, I’m in the middle of reading The Last Slave Ship by Ben Raines. It’s the story of the last slave ship that came to America (specifically Mobile, AL), as well as The Fourth Turning Is Here by Neil Howe, who pioneered generational theory.

DEE: My favorite is The Heart of Leadership by Mark Miller, and I can never turn away from a book with talking animals, therefore my favorite adult novel is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

What are some ways that we can get involved in helping up the literacy rates for kids?
DEE: Please reach out if you would like to add SHORT’s literacy kits to your community’s waiting spaces or if your HR/DEI team wants a project that changes communities! Our educational videos on YouTube are free, as well as the corresponding lesson plans. This passion project has been our love letter to Alabama, but we want every child to fall in love with reading.

MONICA: Go volunteer at your local school! The best way a child can develop literacy improvement is one-on-one reading. Restock a lending library in your neighborhood. Add reading materials to your business’ waiting space where children visit. Make reading a community commitment, not just an educator’s responsibility.